Battery sump



J. I. DIL EY BATTERY SUMP Jan. 1, 1952v Filed Nov. 25, 1947 INVENTOR. .M Es D/L E) Attorneys Patented Jan. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BATTERY SUMP James I. Dilcy, Carroll, Ohio Application November 25, 1847, Serial No. 188,073 1 Claim. (01. lac-11s) i This invention relates to a sump, sometimes referred to as a sump Jar," of the type utilized particularly in connection with certain kinds oi aircraft, especially those, such as fighters, thatassuine sharply angled and reversed positions during flight. With craft this kind, the batteries have been provided with sumps or sump jars having tubular connections with the battery for receiving excess battery acids developing when the battery boils over," that is, deposits such acids exteriorly. The difficulty, heretofore, has been that, in fighter planes and the like, which at times fly at sharp inclinations and in complete reverse, the battery acid deposited in the sump jar is ejected into the static air vent tube. associated with the sump, when such positions are assumed. And the acid is destructive not only of the vent tube but of practically any parts of the ship, such as adjacent control cables, with which the acid comes in contact. Such results, which have occurred many times, are obviously both dangerous and expensive. Complete aircraft have been rendered worthless by such leakage oi battery acids.

The invention herein disclosed eliminates the damaging results described by the provision of a sump which comprises means that trap the acid against leakage under circumstances of the kind mentioned.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient sump for the purpose indicated.

Another object is to provide a simple and etiective valve connection between the sump jar and the static vent tube associated therewith, for eliminating difllculties such as those above outlined.

Another object is the provision of such valve means which are readily removable and replaceable and which are constructed for quick disassociation or parts for p rp ses of cleaning.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view or my invention associated with a battery, the latter being partially shown.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-section view through the top portions or the sump, valve, and associated means of my invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a rragmental detail view, partly in longitudinal cross-section, through the lower part of the valve chamber or my invention.

With reference to the drawings, a battery I is shown as mounted on a suitable base I projecting as at 8 at one side to provide a support for a sump Jar It. A sponge, indicated at B, may be placed in the bottom or the jar. A non-corrosive cover II is attached to the open top of the jar in tight iit relation and is formed with ears I! for receiving securing rods ll having "threaded top ends adapted to receive wing-nuts ll, bearing against the ears i2.

An acid discharge tube or line ll proceeds from the battery to the cover ii and extends therethrough into the Jar ll as at it, through the medium of a stub tube i! to which the line I5 is removably attached, as at ii. The cover also supports a valve, indicated generally at ll, and comprising a hollow chamber or body 20 exteriorly threaded, as at 2i, ior threaded insertion into an opening in the cover II. This lower part of the valve body is formed with a relatively large, interiorly threaded bore 22 adapted to receive a plug 23 which constitutes the bottom or the valve chamber. The plug may be provided with recesses 24 engageable by a suitable tool for positioning and removal of the plug. The plug 23 has a restricted central bore 25 whereby communication or the valve chamber with the interior or the sump jar is aflorded.

The inner end or the plug 23 is providedwith raised portions which may be in the form oi radial ridge members 28, inclined upwardly toward the center oi the plug and having their apexes adjacent the inner end 01' bore 26, tor a purpose to be described.

The upper end of valve body 20 is formed with an extension ll through which a bore 2!, axially aligned with bore 25, extends into the valve chamber. A ball 28 is positioned in the chamber, having a slight clearance with the sides oi. the chamber and a somewhat greater clearance with the ends thereof. The ball normally seats on the apex portions or the ridges 2i and is thus precluded from closing the bore 25. Upon angular or reverse positioning of the valve, however, the ball moves to the top end of the chamher and efiectively closes the inner end or the bore 28.

The extension 21 on the top of the valve body is adapted to have removably secured thereto,

as by the clamp 30, an end or a static vent tube 3| which, during normal flight or the cratt in which the present apparatus is mounted, runetions to vent the interior 0! the jar or container ll. When the position 01' the plane is steeply angledcrrevenedtheivalvobeibmovingtothe normally upper end of its chamber, closes oi! the bore 28 and thus prevents any acid from the sump jar from entering the static vent tube 3|, thereby eliminating the dangers and losses heretoi'ore referred to.

Modifications readily suggest themselves upon consideration of the means herein disclosed, but these are believed to be comprised within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

The combination with a wet battery having a casing containing a liquid electrolyte, of a closed container supported for movement with said battery, said container having a top, an electrolyte conduit leading from the interior of said battery casing and passing downwardly through the container top, a static vent conduit leading away from said container, and valve means on the container top to which said static vent conduit is connected, said valve means having a gravity operated valve element ineffective to prevent communication between the interior of said container and said vent conduit while said container and said battery are in erectpositions and acting to close communication between the interior of said container and said vent conduit while the container and the battery are moved into sharply angulated or inverted positions, said valve means comprising a vertical cylindrical body extending through said top, said body having an upper end, a restricted tubular portion on said upper end to which said vent tube is connected, said tubular portion opening at its lower end through said upper end, a valve seat at the lower end of said tubular portion, a single ball check free for vertical movement in said body, said valve body having a lower end having a restricted vertical passage communicating with the interior 01' said body and with the interior of said container. said ball check normally resting upon said lower end, said lower end having ridge means rising.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 944,079 Decker Dec, 21, 1909 954,178 Fowler Apr. 5, 1910 1,724,878 Jensen Aug. 13, 1929 2,062,218 Gielen Nov. 24, 1936 2,151,278 Milhaupt Mar. 21, 1939 2,343,663 Gregory Mar. 7, 1944 l OTHER REFERENCES Plastics, page 45, August 1944. 

